Copy-holder



Patented Nov; 22, I898.

s. STEWART.

COPY. HOLDER. (Applicationfiled Kay 12, 1896.)

2 Shear-Sheet l.

(No Model.)

THE "ohms FETER$ p0, ruofouma, wasnms'rou, n. c.

Patented Nov. 22, I898.

S. STEWART.

COPY HOLDER.

(Application filed May 12, 1896.)

2 Shuts-Sheet 2.

' (No Model.)

UNI ED STATES PATENT Grace.

scoTT STEWART, on RIVESVILLE, WEST VIRGINIA:

COPY-HOLDER.

SPECIFICATION forming part df Letters Patent no. 614,515, dated November 22', use. Application filed 'May 12, 1896. Serial No. 591,261. (No model.)

To all whom it may concern:

Be it known that I, SCOTT STEWART, a citizen of the United States of America, residing at Rivesville, in the county of Marion and State of WVest Virginia, have invented certain new and useful Improvements in Copy-Holders, of which the following is a specification, reference being had therein to the accompanying drawings.

The object of the invention is to provide a novel means whereby a gradual descent of the holder is effected, obviating the jarring which would be incident to the concussion between the base and the holder were it allowed to descend rapidly, which is a great advantage to the operation as well as the durability of the machine.

Finally, the object of the invention is the production of a copy-holder which will possess advantages in points of durability, efficiency, and general utility, making it comparatively inexpensive to produce and sustain and which presents at the same time a neat and finished appearance.

WVith the above and other objects in view the invention consists in the novel details of construction, as well as the arrangement and combination of parts, to be hereinafter more fully set forth and specifically claimed.

In describing the invention in detail reference is had to the accompanying drawings, forming part of this specification, wherein like letters and numerals of reference denote corresponding parts in the several views, in which-- Figure 1 is a vertical sectional view taken centrally of the base and standard. Fig. 2 is a bottom plan view with a portion of the elements removed. Fig. 3 is a similar view of a modified construction. Fig. 4 is a front view of the copy-holder complete.

In the drawings, 1 denotes a hollow base; 2, a hollow standard secured to said base by its lower end being made fast in the upper or solid portion of the base. At the lower end of the standard is a valve 3, held against the end thereof by the supporting-plate 3, which is held in the base and adjusted by any suitable means, so as to permit a gradual escape of the air in proportion to the weight carried by the frame or paper-holder, to be A rod 7 is journaled in bearings 8, formed' on the upper end of the frame. A clamp 8 is attached to the rod 7 and is caused to bear against the frame 7 by means of the spring 9*, coiled around the rod. Thus it will be seen that the copy is secured to the frame by turning the rod 7 against the action of the spring and inserting the paper under the clamp, whereupon by the release of the rod the clamp will bear firmly against the paper or papers and hold them in place. As soon as one sheet is copied it may be turned over and inserted under the spring-arm 9, which is secured to the side of the frame, as clearly shown in Fig. 4. The paper is further held in place against the frame by means of the swinging member 10, pivoted at each end to the arms 11, pro jecting from the top of the standard. The horizontal section of the swinging member serves as an aliner, enabling the operator at all times to readily observe the line which is being written.

At the top of the'standard surrounding the piston-rod is arranged a ball-clutch 10 to retain said rod in any position of adjustment. To operate the rod, a traveling clutch 12 is provided, having an opening in one end through which the rodis run,as willbe apparent. When said clutch is held in any other position than at right angles to the rod, the tendency is for the edges of said opening to bite or engage the rod that it may be elevated as the clutch is raised, and when said clutch is held at right angles a perfectly free passage of the rod through said opening is permitted. Surrounding the piston-rod and resting on the inner end of the clutch 12 is a thimble 13, adapted to be raised .and lowered with said clutch for the purpose hereinafter set forth. The mechanism for operating said clutch consists of a rod 15, having a collar 16, a lever 17, connected to the lower end of the rod 15, said lever having'an extension 18, provided thereon, a spring-pressed arm 19 for actuating said extension, an arbor 20, to which the arm 19 is secured, said arbor having one of its ends slidably arranged in a bearing 20, and an operating-handle 21, connected to the arbor 20. A bifurcated end 22 is provided on arm 19, embracing the end of the lever on which it rides.

To regulate the throw of the lever 21, and consequently the height to which the frame is raised, a suitably-headed bolt 23 depends through the base in such a position that the arm 19 strikes the head thereof. A nut 24 is threaded on the upper end of the bolt to draw it up or down, limiting the movement of said arm 19, and therefore the lever 21, to which it is connected.

In operation the lever 21 is depressed, th erebyactuating the arbor 20 and arm 19, raising the rod 15, which in turn elevates the clutch 12, and consequently the thimble 13. As will be understood from Fig. 1, the retainingclutch is so constructed as to allow an upward movement of the rod, yet prevent a downward movement thereof. Upon the release of the lever the parts are returned to their normal position by the spring 24 drawing upon the arm 19. When it is desired to lower the device, the lever 21 is pressed to the side, as shown in dotted lines in Fig. 3. The arbor 20 will then be moved in its bearing, so that the arm 19 clears the head of the bolt 23 to allow a longer stroke, and therefore a greater upward movement of the rod 15, and so the upwardly-curved end of the clutch is caused to bear against the bracket 14, whereby, as isusual in the operation of clutches of this character, a disengagement from the rod results. As before explained, simultaneously with the raising of the clutch 12 the thimble 13 is elevated and, due to the lengthened stroke of the rod 15, strikes the balls of the retaining-clutch and holds them from engagement with the rod 5, which is then free to drop down by reason of its own weight. It is at this point that the utility of the valve is made apparent. Usuallyin copy-holders the settling in place without shock or jar as the air escapes.

In Fig. 3 I have shown a modified form of base adapted to sustain the holder without anchorage and made especially for type-writers. The movement of the operating-lever is limited by the sliding guard at, arranged on the extension Z) of the table. The spring 0 holds the operating-levernormallyelevated. When the lever is thrown to the side, it enters the cut-away portion of the guard, and the lever descends until the clutches are released, as in the construction heretofore described.

The valve (1 is shown in dotted lines in order to more clearly illustrate the tube and the relation the tube and valve bear to each other.

Having fully described my invention, what I claim as new, and desire to secure by Letters Patent, is

1. In a copy-holder, the combination of a tube, a piston and rod operating therein, a clutch for engaging the rod and holding it in its elevated position, a traveling clutch for raising the rod, and an air-escape at the bottom of the tube, as and for the purpose described.

2. In combination with a tube, a rod operatin g therein, a clampin g-frame carried thereby, a piston on the rod, an air-escape at the bottom of the tube, a traveling clutch oper ating the rod, means for retaining the rod elevated, and means carried by the traveling clutch for releasing the stationary clutch,

said traveling and stationary clutches being released simultaneously, for the purpose dc scribed.

3. A copy-holder consisting of a tube, a clamp-support slidable therein, a piston on the end of the support, a clutch engaging the support to elevate the same, a second clutch for holding it in its elevated position, means for releasing both clutches simultaneously and an air-escape at the bottom of the tube for controlling the descent of the clamp-support, for the purpose described.

In testimony whereof I affix my signature in presence of two witnesses.

SCOTT STEWART.

Witnesses:

L. E. HALL, F. E. PARSONS. 

